I’ve always had an interest in ceramics and I enjoy making outcomes with my hands. Slipcast ceramics seemed to be a good way to combine my experience as an industrial designer with these other two factors. It has been an enjoyable learning curve for the last couple of years. Where do you find the inspiration for your pieces? I don’t have a particular formula for inspiration. My current pieces explore how one shape can transform into another, the ‘in-between’ shapes and how texture plays out on these surfaces. How does your creative process work? After the initial inspiration, lots of sketches to brainstorm and explore forms and silhouettes, then for me its really important to continue this into three dimensions. This usually involves lots of paper, folding and cutting until something works. What is the best piece of creative advice you have ever been given? Keep it simple. Less is more. Something along those lines... though not ever very simple getting to that point! What makes your craft unique? I combine technology with my craft to create objects that speak of both precision and irregularity. Each quality plays off the other. Do you believe that consumers are more aware of sustainable items? And how does sustainability fit in with both your designs and your business? Some are more aware than others, and I think/hope this awareness is increasing. From my end I try my best to have as little wastage as possible from my production process. Packaging is kept to a minimum, is made from recycled or sustainable sources and able to be recycled at the end. I would like to think that people value my products and will love/use them for many years. How important is New Zealand made? And what does New Zealand made mean to you? New Zealand made definitely has a nice ring to it. For me it is something to be proud of when it also means the outcome is one of quality and of difference.
Sarah x
What are the strengths of being a New Zealand based designer? Are there any weaknesses? The ease of setting up a business and being able to try something new. Weaknesses would be smallness of the local market, harder to get interesting components and only getting a small selection of international design to appreciate in person (photos don’t count.)